FA Cup extra preliminary round
Bridgwater Town 5, Keynsham Town 2

BRIDGWATER Town twice came from behind before overwhelming visitors Keynsham Town at Fairfax Park, to progress to the FA Cup preliminary round.

The hosts made an excellent start in front of 211 fans, hounding their opponents and passing well when in possession, with winger Callum Ham particularly lively.

But after a promising first 20 minutes the Robins lost their rhythm, with long balls offering no reward and handing the momentum to Keynsham.

And 10 minutes before half time it was the visitors who took the lead, as the Robins conceded a free-kick in a central position and Matt Long curled the ball home.

The hosts responded well after the break and were soon level, as Ham cut inside and found Syd Camper, who fired low into the net.

But they then found themselves behind again, as Matt Brown scrambled home a corner just past the hour mark.

Crucially Bridgwater were not behind for long, as on 65 minutes Jake Llewellyn picked the ball up in midfield, brushed past a couple of challenges and hammered his shot low into the far corner to level.

Substitute Matt Connick then gave the hosts the lead for the first time in the match, rising highest to head home a corner on 74 minutes.

Another substitute - co-manager Dave Pearse - nearly added a fourth almost immediately after, beating the keeper after running onto a through ball, but seeing his effort cleared off the line.

Ten minutes after the Robins' third goal Pearse did wrap it up, collecting Llewellyn's ball in following a short corner and firing home.

The Robins added a fifth goal in injury time, as Scott Saunders was penalised for handball and Mike Duffy smashed in the spot-kick, to put a cherry on top of the victory and seal the £1,500 in prize money.

In the next round Bridgwater will take on Brislington, who won their extra preliminary round tie 6-1 against Sherborne Town.

That match will be played at Fairfax Park on Saturday, August 19.

Before that, Bridgwater begin their Toolstation Western League Premier Division campaign away to Willand Rovers on Wednesday (August 9, ko 7.30pm).

See the match as it happened here.

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BRIDGWATER co-manager Dave Pearse said afterwards: "In the first 20 minutes, when we were passing it, we were on top.

"But we let them impose themselves on the game, as we tried to play them at their game and we went long - it just wasn't working.

"At half time we said 'get the ball down and play it', and we upped our tempo.

"It's a really good group, it's like they've been together two or three years, and the team spirit's brilliant.

"It's good [to score myself] but I'm not worried about that any more, it's about the wins and being successful.

"We didn't want a replay going into Wednesday's [league game].

"Beating Taunton in a friendly was great, but we needed to win today to take momentum into the league campaign.

"It'll be another tough test, but we've got a good squad and everyone's fit, so we're happy."